Are you planning to buy gold for Dhanteras and Diwali? If so, this information is for you. When purchasing jewelry, we often focus solely on the price of gold and the making charges; however, a 'hallmarking fee' is also added to the final bill. The good news is that this fee does not apply to every gold item. Let’s explore which items you can purchase that might save you some extra cost.

How much is the hallmarking fee?
According to new regulations from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), effective from September 14, 2026, the hallmarking fee for gold jewelry has been increased to ₹75 plus GST. Previously, this fee was ₹45, representing an increase of approximately 67%.

Items exempt from the hallmarking fee
Under BIS regulations, certain categories are exempt from the hallmarking fee:

Items weighing less than 2 grams: Gold jewelry weighing less than 2 grams is not subject to mandatory hallmarking.

Traditional jewelry: Kundan, Polki, and Jadau jewelry are excluded from this requirement.

Other items: Gold coins, bars, plates, sheets, foils, rods, wires, strips, tubes, and gold threads.

Other uses: Gold items intended for medical or industrial use, goods prepared for export, gold watches, and fountain pens.

Jewelry displayed at international or domestic business-to-business (B2B) exhibitions.

What are the rules for other items?
In some cases, jewelry may contain detachable components—for example, the screw of an earring or a specific part of a necklace. According to BIS regulations, every detachable component and each item in a pair must have a unique HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification).

For instance, if you are purchasing a pair of earrings where the main part weighs more than 2 grams but the screw weighs less than 2 grams, the main part will bear a hallmark, while the smaller screw is not required to have one. Therefore, when making a purchase, do not rely solely on the hallmark on the main component; ensure you check all the details.

How is this fee included in the bill?
Jewellers pay this fee to an accredited hallmarking centre, and this cost is typically passed on to the customer by including it in the bill. The final bill includes the weight of the gold, the prevailing rate for that day, the purity, making charges, wastage (loss during manufacturing), and the hallmarking fee. Consequently, it is essential to carefully review your bill when purchasing jewellery.

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